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dated October 16, 1952: Sir Maurice Gwyer

Eminent Jurist, Sir Maurice Gwyer, former Chief Justice of the Federal Court of India and Vice-Chancellor of the Delhi University, died at his residence at Eastbourne England on October 12. He was 74. Sir Maurice, who was born in 1878, had a distinguished academic career and was called to Bar in 1902. Later, he became a Lecturer in Private International Law in Oxford. After holding a number of high posts in England, he came to India in 1937 as the Chief Justice of India which post he held till 1943. He was one of the world's leading constitutional experts. He played a significant part in the drafting of the Government of India Act of 1935 and was later closely associated at every stage of the Indian constitutional development.

Sir Maurice was not only a jurist of eminence but he was a great educationist. While he was Chief Justice, he was nominated as Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University, a post which he held till 1950, when he retired and went to England. The numerous improvements brought about in Delhi University including the introduction of the postgraduate teaching courses and the establishment of laboratories were entirely due to the efforts of Sir Maurice. He was also responsible for a substantial increase in the salaries of librarians and lecturers. Sir Maurice endeared himself to the entire student community and the teaching staff during his tenure of office as Vice-Chancellor. From merely an examination body he raised the University to a teaching one. He was remembered as the "maker of Delhi University".

Excerpts from The Hindu's Editorial: "... He came into the political limelight when he was appointed arbitrator on the Rajkot issue which Mahatma Gandhi had taken up with the State's Durbar and with the Government of India. Sir Maurice upheld Gandhiji's case and indeed, throughout his career on the Bench he gave evidence of an exemplary sense of justice and fair play... Certainly, both India and England have reason to be grateful for the work of such a remarkable ambassador of goodwill and friendliness... Sir Maurice was greatly respected in official and non-official circles in Delhi and had a large circle of friends and admirers in the capital to whom his passing away would undoubtedly be a great loss."

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